Car rental at Miami Airport
MIA has one of the better rental setups in the country — all companies under one roof, connected to the terminal by a short automated train.
Getting to the rental centre
The Rental Car Center sits within the Miami Intermodal Center, reached from the terminal by the MIA Mover — an automated train that runs frequently and takes a few minutes. All the major rental companies are on the same floor, so there is no shuttle lottery. Allow 25 to 40 minutes from baggage reclaim.
Tolls, before you set off
South Florida's road network is heavily electronic. Your car will be enrolled in the rental company's toll programme automatically; ask at the counter what the daily service charge is and whether it applies only on days you use a toll road. This is the number that surprises people on the final invoice.
Fort Lauderdale as an alternative
FLL is around 45 minutes north and frequently prices lower for the same vehicle class, particularly in peak season. If you are heading to Fort Lauderdale, Boca or Palm Beach anyway, collecting there rather than at MIA is usually the better arithmetic.
| Airport code | MIA — Miami International |
|---|---|
| Getting there | MIA Mover to the Rental Car Center |
| Allow | 25–40 minutes from baggage reclaim |
| Alternative | Fort Lauderdale (FLL), about 45 minutes north |
| Watch for | Daily toll service charge added by the rental company |